20 To one who shapes a pedestal,
choosing wood that does not rot?[a]
He looks for a skilled craftsman
to set up an idol that will not fall over.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 40:20 Or who is too poor for such an offering, or who chooses mulberry wood as a votive gift; Hb obscure

20 A person too poor to present such an offering
    selects wood(A) that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
    to set up an idol(B) that will not topple.(C)

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20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.

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The craftsman encourages the metalworker;(A)
the one who flattens with the hammer
supports the one who strikes the anvil,
saying of the soldering, “It is good.”
He fastens it with nails so that it will not fall over.(B)

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The metalworker(A) encourages the goldsmith,(B)
    and the one who smooths with the hammer
    spurs on the one who strikes the anvil.
One says of the welding, “It is good.”
    The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.(C)

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So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

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